The Kingdom of Thailand (IPA: /ˈtaɪlænd/, Thai: ราชอาณาจักรไทย, IPA: [râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj]) is a country in Southeast Asia. To its east lie Laos and Cambodia; to its south, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia; and to its west, the Andaman Sea and Burma. Its capital and largest city is Bangkok.
The country's official name was Siam (Thai: สยาม; IPA: [saˈjaːm], RTGS: Sayam origin unknown) until 23 June 1939, when it was changed to Thailand; it was renamed Siam between 1945 and 11 May 1949, after which the name Thailand was once again adopted. The word Thai (ไทย) is not, as commonly believed to be, derived from the word Tai (ไท) meaning "free" in the Thai language; it is, however, the name of an ethnic group from the central plains (the Thai people).[citation needed] A famous Thai scholar argued that Tai (ไท) simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Tai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" (คน) for people . With that in mind the locals seemed to have also accepted the alternative meaning and will verbally state that it means "Land of the free".[citation needed]
Ratcha Anachak Thai means "Kingdom of Thailand" or "Kingdom of Thai". Etymologically, its components are: -Ratcha- (from Sanskrit raja, meaning "king, royal, realm", from Sanskrit) ; -ana- (from Pāli āṇā, "authority, command, power", itself from Sanskrit ājñā, same meaning) -chak (from Sanskrit chakra, meaning "wheel", a symbol of power and rule).
History
The region known today as Thailand has been inhabited by humans since the paleolithic period (about 10,000 years ago). Prior to the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 13th century, various states thrived there, such as the various Tai, Mon, Khmer and Malay kingdoms, as seen through the numerous archaeological sites and artifacts that are scattered throughout the Siamese landscape. Prior to the 12th century however, the first Thai or Siamese state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai, which was founded in 1238.
Following the decline and fall of the Khmer empire in the 13th - 14th century, various Buddhist Tai Kingdoms of Sukhothai, Lanna and Lan chang were on the ascendancy. However, a century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the new kingdom of Ayutthaya, established in the mid-14th century.
After Ayutthaya fell in 1767 to the Burmese, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Rattanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.
Siam retains an immemorial tradition of trade with its neighboring states and the cultures of the Indian ocean and the South China sea. European trade and influence arrived to Thailand in the 16th century, beginning with the Portuguese. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation never to have been colonised. Two main reasons for this were that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to exploit the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonized by the two colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions, most notably being the loss of large territory on the east side of the Mekong to the French and the step by step absorption by Britain of the Shan (Thai Yai) States (now in Burma) and the Malay Peninsula. The loss initially included Penang and Tumasik and eventually culminated in the loss of three predominantly ethnic-Malay southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states, under the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.
In 1932, a bloodless revolution resulted in a new constitutional monarchy. During World War II, Thailand became an ally of Japan while at the same time maintaining an active anti-Japanese resistance movement known as the Seri Thai. After the war, Thailand emerged as an ally of the United States. As with many of the developing nations during the Cold War, Thailand then went through decades of political transgression characterised by coups d'état as one military regime replaced another, but eventually progressed towards a stable prosperity and democracy in the 1980s.
In 1997, Thailand was hit with the Asian financial crisis and the Thai baht for a short time peaked at 56 baht to the US dollar compared to about 25 baht to the dollar before 1997. Since then, the baht has regained most of its strength and as of 23 May 2007, is valued at 32 baht to the US dollar.
The official calendar in Thailand is based on Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian (western) calendar. For example, the year AD 2008 is called 2551 BE in Thailand.
Politics and government
History
Since the political reform of the absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 constitutions and charters. Throughout this time, the form of government has ranged from military dictatorship to electoral democracy, but all governments have acknowledged a hereditary monarch as the head of state.
1997 to 2006
The 1997 Constitution was the first constitution to be drafted by popularly-elected Constitutional Drafting Assembly, and was popularly called the "People's Constitution".
The 1997 Constitution created a bicameral legislature consisting of a 500-seat House of Representatives (สภาผู้แทนราษฎร, sapha phutan ratsadon) and a 200-seat Senate (วุฒิสภา, wuthisapha). For the first time in Thai history, both houses were directly elected. Many human rights are explicitly acknowledged, and measures were established to increase the stability of elected governments. The House was elected by the first-past-the-post system, where only one candidate with a simple majority could be elected in one constituency. The Senate was elected based on the province system, where one province can return more than one Senator depending on its population size. Members of the House of Representatives served four-year terms, while Senators served six-year terms.
The court system (ศาล, saan) included a constitutional court with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, and political matters.
The January 2001 general election, the first election under the 1997 Constitution, was called the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history. The subsequent government was the first in Thai history to complete a 4-year term. The 2005 election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history and was noted for a marked reduction in vote-buying compared to previous elections.
In early 2006, significant pressure from corruption allegations led Thaksin Shinawatra to call for a snap election. The opposition boycotted the elections and Thaksin was re-elected. Pressure continued to build, leading to a military coup on 19 September 2006.
After the 2006 coup
Without meeting much resistance, a military junta overthrew the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra on 2006 September 19 . The junta abrogated the constitution, dissolved Parliament and the Constitutional Court, detained and later removed several members of the government, declared martial law, and appointed one of the King's Privy Counselors, General Surayud Chulanont, as the Prime Minister. The junta later wrote a highly abbreviated interim constitution and appointed a panel to draft a permanent constitution. The junta also appointed a 250-member legislature, called by some critics a "chamber of generals" and others claimed that it lacks representatives from the poor majority. In this interim constitution draft, the head of the junta was allowed to remove the Prime Minister at any time. The legislature was not allowed to hold a vote of confidence against the Cabinet and the public was not allowed to file comments on bills. This interim constitution was later surpassed by the permanent constitution on 24 August 2007.
Martial law was partially revoked in January 2007.
The ban on political activities was lifted in July 2007, following the 30 May dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party. The new constitution has been approved by a referendum on 19 August, which led to a return to democratic elections on 23 December 2007.
Thailand remains an active member of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Education
Thailand enjoys a high level of literacy and education is provided by a well organized school system of kindergarten, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools, numerous vocational colleges, and universities. The private sector of education is well developed and significantly contributes to the overall provision of education which the government would not be able to meet through its own establishments. Education is compulsory up to and including Grade 9, and the government provides free education through to Grade 12.
Thailand has never been colonized, and therefore its educational system does not draw off of European models to a great extent. Education in a modern sense is relatively recent and, according to some sources, still needs to overcome some major cultural hurdles in order to ensure further development and improvement to its standards, which in some respects have fallen to the lowest levels in southeast Asia.
The establishment of reliable and coherent curricula for its primary and secondary schools is subject to such rapid changes that schools and their teachers are not always sure what they are supposed to be teaching, and authors and publishers of textbooks are unable to write and print new editions quickly enough to keep up with the volatile situation. The issue concerning university entrance has therefore also been in constant upheaval for a number of years. Nevertheless, education has seen its greatest progress in the years since 2001, most of the present generation of pupils and students is computer literate, and knowledge of English is on the increase at least in quantity if not in quality.
See the main article for a complete treatment of Education in Thailand.
Administrative divisions
Thailand is divided into 75 provinces (จังหวัด, changwat), which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location. There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) and Pattaya, of which Bangkok is at provincial level and thus often counted as a 76th province.
Each province is divided into districts and the districts are further divided into sub-districts (tambons). As of 2006 there are 877 districts (อำเภอ, amphoe) and the 50 districts of Bangkok (เขต, khet). Some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are also referred to as Greater Bangkok (ปริมณฑล, pari monthon). These provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The name of each province's capital city (เมือง, mueang) is the same as that of the province: for example, the capital of Chiang Mai province (changwat Chiang Mai) is Mueang Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai. The 75 provinces are as follows:
Central
Ang Thong
Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Special Governed District of
Chai Nat
Kanchanaburi
Lop Buri
Nakhon Nayok
Nakhon Pathom
Nonthaburi
Pathum Thani
Phetchaburi
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Monk praying at a temple.Prachuap Khiri Khan
Ratchaburi
Samut Prakan
Samut Sakhon
Samut Songkhram
Saraburi
Sing Buri
Suphan Buri
East
Chachoengsao
Chanthaburi
Chonburi
Prachinburi
Rayong
Sa Kaeo
Trat
North
Phra That Chae Haeng, Nan ProvinceChiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Kamphaeng Phet
Lampang
Lamphun
Mae Hong Son
Nakhon Sawan
Nan
Phayao
Phetchabun
Phichit
Phitsanulok
Phrae
Sukhothai
Tak
Uthai Thani
Uttaradit
Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom Province
Northeast (Isan)
Amnat Charoen
Buri Ram
Chaiyaphum
Kalasin
Khon Kaen
Loei
Maha Sarakham
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nong Bua Lamphu
Nong Khai
Roi Et
Sakon Nakhon
Si Sa Ket
Surin
Ubon Ratchathani
Architecture in the Srivijayan style. Surat Thani ThailandUdon Thani
Yasothon
South
Chumphon
Krabi
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Narathiwat
Pattani
Phang Nga
Phatthalung
Phuket
Ranong
Satun
Songkhla
Surat Thani
Trang
Yala
Metropolitan Area
Bangkok Metropolitan Area - 10,061,726
Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area - 957,634
Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area - 957,298
Greater Hatyai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area - 712,900
Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area - 429,853
Phuket Province - 321,802
NOTE: In italics , that province represents the Greater Bangkok sub-region; in italics , that province represents the West sub-region.
Geography
At 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi), Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in land mass, whilst it is the world's 28th largest country in terms of population. It is comparable in population to countries such as Iran and Peru, and is similar in land size to France and California in the US; it is just over twice the size of the entire United Kingdom, and 1.4 times the size of Germany.
Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is mountainous, with the highest point being Doi Inthanon at 2,565 metres above sea level (8,415 ft). The northeast, Isan, (see special section on this region) consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula.
The local climate is tropical and characterized by monsoons. There is a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid. Major cities beside the capital Bangkok include Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai.
Economy
Thailand is a newly industrialized country. After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1996 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased pressure on Thailand's currency, the baht, in 1997, the year in which the economy contracted by 1.9% led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the currency. Pegged at 25 to the US dollar from 1978 to 1997, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.8% that same year. The collapse prompted a wider Asian financial crisis.
Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1998, expanding 4.2% and 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. Growth (2.2%) was dampened by a softening of the global economy in 2001, but picked up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in the People's Republic of China, a relatively weak baht encouraging exports and increasing domestic spending as a result of several mega projects and incentives of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, known as Thaksinomics. Growth in 2002/03 and 2004 was 5-7% annually. Growth in 2007 is 4.7% due to the higher growth rate of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of the year. Due both to the weakening of the US dollar and an increasingly strong Thai currency, by March 2008, the dollar was hovering around the 30 baht mark.
Thailand exports over $105 billion worth of products annually. Major exports include rice, textiles and footwear, fishery products, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances. Thailand is the world’s no.1 exporter of rice, exporting 6.5 million tons of milled rice annually. Rice is the most important crop in the country. Thailand has the highest percent of arable land, 27.25%, of any nation in the Greater Mekong Subregion. About 55% of the available land area is used for rice production.
Substantial industries include electric appliances, components, computer parts and automobiles, while tourism contributes about 5% of the Thai economy's GDP.
Thailand uses the metric system but traditional units of measurement and imperial measure (feet, inches) are still much in use, particularly for agriculture and building materials. Years are numbered as B.E. (Buddhist Era) in education, the civil service, government, and on contracts and newspaper datelines; in banking, however, and increasingly in industry and commerce, standard Western year (Christian or Common Era) counting prevails.
Demographics
Language
Thailand's population can be generally categorized into the Central Thai, the Northeastern Thai or Isan (see special section on this region), the Northern Thai, and the Southern Thai. The Central Thai have long dominated the nation politically, economically, and culturally, even though they make up only about one-third of Thailand's population and are slightly outnumbered by the Northeastern Thai. Due to the education system and the forging of a national identity, many people are now able to speak Central Thai as well as their own local dialects.
The largest group of non-Thai people are the Chinese who have historically played a disproportionately significant role in the economy. Many have assimilated into mainstream Thai society, and do not live in Bangkok's Chinatown on Yaowarat Road. Other dominant ethnic groups include Malays in the south, Mon, Khmer and various hill tribes. After the end of the Vietnam War, many Vietnamese refugees settled in Thailand, mainly in the northeastern region.
The Thai language is Thailand's national language, written in its own alphabet, but many ethnic and regional dialects exist as well as areas where people speak predominantly Isan or Mon-Khmer languages. Although English is widely taught in schools, its use is not widespread throughout the country.
Religion
According to the last census (2000) 95% of Thais are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand at 4.6%. Thailand's southernmost provinces - Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and part of Songkhla Chumphon have dominant Muslim populations, consisting of both ethnic Thai and Malay.[verification needed] Most often Muslims live in separate communities from non-Muslims. The southern tip of Thailand is mostly ethnic Malays. Christians, mainly Catholics, represent 0.75% of the population. A tiny but influential community of Sikhs in Thailand and some Hindus also live in the country's cities, and are heavily engaged in retail commerce. There is also a small Jewish community in Thailand, dating back to the 17th century. Since 2001, Muslim activists, generally described by the Thai government as terrorists or separatists, have rallied against the central government because of alleged corruption and ethnic bias on the part of officials.
Culture
Theravada Buddhism is highly respected in Thailand.The culture of Thailand incorporates a great deal of influence from India, China, Cambodia, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand's main theology Theravada Buddhism is central to modern Thai identity and belief. In practice, Thai Buddhism has evolved over time to include many regional beliefs originating from animism as well as ancestor worship. In areas in the southernmost parts of Thailand, Islam is prevalent. Several different ethnic groups, many of which are marginalized, populate Thailand. Some of these groups overlap into Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia and have maintained a distinctly traditional way of life despite strong Thai cultural influence. Overseas Chinese also form a significant part of Thai society, particularly in and around Bangkok. Their successful integration into Thai society has allowed for this group to hold positions of economic and political power, the most noteworthy of these being the Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who held power from 2001 until 19 September 2006 when he was ousted by a military coup d'état.
Like most Asian cultures, respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice. Thais have a strong sense of hospitality and generosity, but also a strong sense of social hierarchy. Seniority is an important concept in Thai culture. Elders have by tradition ruled in family decisions or ceremonies.
The traditional Thai greeting, the wai, is generally offered first by the youngest of the two people meeting, with their hands pressed together, fingertips pointing upwards as the head is bowed to touch their face to the hands, usually coinciding with the spoken word "Sawat-dii khrap" for male speakers, and "Sawat-dii ka" for females. The elder then is to respond afterwards in the same way. Social status and position, such as in government, will also have an influence on who performs the wai first. For example, although one may be considerably older than a provincial governor, when meeting it is usually the visitor who pays respect first. When children leave to go to school, they are taught to wai to their parents to represent their respect for them. They do the same when they come back. The wai is a sign of respect and reverence for another, similar to the namaste greeting of India.
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and its natives martial art call "Muay". In the past "Muay" was taught to Royal soldiers for combat on battlefield if unarmed. After they retired from the army, these soldiers often became Buddhist monks and stayed at the temples. Most of the Thai people's lives are closely tied to Buddhism and temples; they often send their sons to be educated with the monks. ”Muay” is also one of the subjects taught in the temples..
Muay Thai achieved popularity all over the world in the 1990s. Although similar martial arts styles exist in other southeast Asian countries, few enjoy the recognition that Muay Thai has received with its full-contact rules allowing strikes including elbows, throws and knees. Football (soccer), however, has possibly overtaken Muay Thai's position as most widely viewed and liked sport in contemporary Thai society and it is not uncommon to see Thais cheering their favourite English Premier League teams on television and walking around in replica kits. Another widely enjoyed pastime, and once a competitive sport, is kite flying.
Taboos in Thailand include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the head is considered the most sacred and the foot the dirtiest part of the body. Stepping over someone, or over food, is considered insulting. However, Thai culture as in many other Asian cultures, is succumbing to the influence of globalization with some of the traditional taboos slowly fading away with time.
Books and other documents are the most revered of secular objects. One should not slide a book across a table or place it on the floor.
Thai cuisine blends five fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some common ingredients used in Thai cuisine include garlic, chillies, lime juice, lemon grass, and fish sauce. The staple food in Thailand is rice, particularly jasmine variety rice (also known as Hom Mali rice) which is included in almost every meal. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice, and Thais domestically consume over 100 kg of milled rice per person per year. Over 5000 varieties of rice from Thailand are preserved in the rice gene bank of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), based in the Philippines. The King of Thailand is the official patron of IRRI.
Thai society has been influenced in recent years by its widely-available multi-language press and media. There are numerous English, Thai and Chinese newspapers in circulation; most Thai popular magazines use English headlines as a chic glamor factor. Most large businesses in Bangkok operate in English as well as other languages. English is also spoken among many Thais, sometimes as a way of demonstrating their educated, high-society status, but other times because of the lingua franca nature of English. Thailand is the largest newspaper market in South East Asia with an estimated circulation of at least 13 million copies daily in 2003. Even upcountry, out of Bangkok, media flourishes. For example, according to Thailand's Public Relations Department Media Directory 2003-2004, the nineteen provinces of northeast Thailand themselves hosted 116 newspapers in addition to radio, TV and cable.
Southeast Asian countries. In the central Indochina. Old name Siam. Area 51 40 million square kilometers. Population 60.4 million (1995). Bangkok. There Chao Phraya River in central plains, over the mountains and the low and high altitude. Tropical monsoon climate. Industrial-based economy, with mining, oil refining, textiles and other departments. The world's largest rice exporter. Tourism development.
Translated by Google
Travel
泰国 旅游
Best time to travel in Thailand: Thailand is located in the tropics, most of the area is a tropical monsoon climate, hot all year round, the annual temperature difference can be described as "always summer." Apart from individual mountain, the parts are high temperatures, the average temperature is generally about 27 ℃. Each November to next January, is the best tourist season in Thailand, followed in April to 10 months. To Bangkok, for example, the most comfortable months of the year is 12 months, the monthly average temperature around 17 ℃, 4 May is the hardest season, monthly average temperatures as high as 38 ℃. As the tropical monsoon, Thailand can be clearly divided into three quarters of the year: March ~ May the highest temperature, the average 32 ℃ ~ 38 ℃, known as the "hot season", air-dry; June to late October, this is " the rainy season, "85% of annual rainfall concentrated in the rainy season, the monthly mean temperature is maintained at about 27,8 ℃; after the rainy season, Thailand welcomed the best season of the year -" cool season ", this is November to next February, the average temperature is 19 ℃ ~ 26 ℃. Although the "cold season", the temperature is not low. At this point, many of the numerous Buddhist temple in Bangkok, the "Oriental Hawaii" Pa Ya dike, "Rose City" Chiang Mai and other tourist attractions are the most beautiful scenery. Thai Folk Festivals: Many festivals in Thailand, there are: National Day: also known as the Longevity Festival. December 5 each year, the King birthday. Makha Bucha Day: March 15 Thai calendar, the Gregorian calendar within 2 months. Holiday morning, the king also Zhaiseng Jade Buddha Temple. Songkran: also known as Songkran. The calendar on April 12 to 15, is the Thai New Year, can be a holiday for four days. Every moment, celebrating the country, particularly in Bangkok. Generally, there are five events, namely, Buddha, sand sculpture, released to celebrate the procession, splashing water. Buddha Day: also known as Buddha Day, the anniversary of the birth of Buddha Sakya Muni. The calendar on May 23, according to regulations can be a day off. Buddhist temples are held on this day fasting, chanting law would, to a variety of perfume, flowers, statues wash water bath. This offer joss sticks to the temple every day men and women to participate in Buddha ceremony. Code Summer Festival: the annual calendar in July, is an important Buddhist festival. Jade Buddha Temple Jade Buddha dressing will hold a grand ceremony, usually chaired by the King or the royal representatives. This day means that the rain season in Thailand has entered the Shing, the monks into a period of 3 months of meditation, chanting period, except during the monks alms giving out the morning, other times not free to be out of the temple, food can only morning and evening meals, dinner only eat liquid food. Loy Krathong: annual calendar November (Thai calendar 12 months) full moon day. Loy Krathong is Thailand's major festivals, but also the most popular people in Thailand, the most poetic of the traditional festivals. Then boil the whole city of Bangkok, million light drifting, very magnificent. The most popular areas is the first world emperor bridge both sides of the test Lin Park, Los air port and other places. Bamboo cannon Day: Thai called "Han Bangfei." It is a Thai folk customs and rituals rain, more prevalent in the Northeast region. Before approaching the rainy season each year held in mid-May, generally a two-day, very grand, lively, very private atmosphere. Thailand Special Reminder: Before traveling to Thailand for 1, _select_ run China National Tourism Administration licensed travel of Chinese citizens traveling abroad, do not light the "price" as the _select_ion criteria. Travel offers low fares to make up for tour companies, often many times in Thailand will arrange for members to sell their own expense, shopping or travel. To check travel information, please call: Thailand Government Tourist Office, Tel :662 -6941442; Tourism Authority of Thailand Hong Kong office, phone :852 -28680732; 2, to understand the journey of the accommodation, transport, restaurants, the choice of itinerary price arrangements at their own expense; 3, ask travel agents to send tour guides to obtain a practicing certificate. 4, Thailand's hotel rooms are not prepared toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, visitors must please bring their own personal hygiene supplies. Thailand Immigration Information 1, all passengers prior to arrival at Bangkok International Airport are required to fill out a customs declaration form, to declare the amount of foreign currency to carry through the entry, the offender may be arrested, prosecuted or confiscation of the excess money; exit and entry may bring Thai baht amount shall not exceed fifty thousand baht. 2, pirated works are not allowed to carry book entry. Legal work such as computer software, art, etc. Each person works each with a book; prohibiting the carrying of narcotics, drugs, pornography and weapons. 3, Bangkok, Thailand, near the airport carousel with blue free phone in case of emergency situations, can use the telephone contact with the outside world. 4, Thailand Department of Cultural Affairs, Wildlife Service, the Customs Department, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai embassies, consulates or representative offices abroad, can be achieved on the foreign exchange control regulations and control of the project manual. 5, in Thailand need to buy special packaging of the larger Buddha statues, antiques, works of art (except for small souvenirs), we must first store to the appropriate authorities to obtain export permits or to submit customs checks at the departure time; 6, even friends with the team, leader or guide, proposed requirements should not be entrusted with luggage, to prevent entrainment, such as drugs, firearms and other contraband, illegal. Jewelry Quality Assurance Club Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Jewellers Association, the Consumer Protection Committee, Export Promotion Bureau, tourism, joint police _set_ up a "jewelry quality assurance club." Improve the club in order to create the image of Thailand's jewelry industry, jewelry efforts to address and overcome past problems kept by operators, the tourists traveling in Thailand to buy fake jewelry crystal hazard. Visitor recommended by the club, you can buy at reasonable prices, "value for money of the jewelry," and get a jewelry quality assurance. Jewelry purchased on the certificate described in detail, with obligations of international conventions to buy jewelry right description. Once purchased jewelry tourists dissenting, cited the above conditions can be granted for return refund. The club members will wear a special logo design for the Circle of Shangzhui ruby. Ring under the abbreviated tgjta and "jewelry quality assurance club" image. This special flag to all club members against a list of companies through the Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in 15 overseas trade and the public to the wide dissemination of office. Thailand's monetary and exchange services Thai monetary unit is the "baht." Airports, banks, hotels, and tourist shops in foreign currency exchange, can be redeemed for cash and travelers checks. 1, no arms around, do not scare people from behind. 2, when the ladies enter the palace can not wear short skirts and sleeveless, men must wear a collared coat, and not wear slippers. 3, into the temple to take off their shoes, clothes should be neat, dignified, it is best not to wear shorts. 4, meet the monks to give way; women avoid contact with the monks, such as dedication of property, may request the men do it or directly on the table. 5, when greeting his hands together in prayer, can not refer to people or things with their feet. 6, head for the more sacred part of the body and should not be touching the head of another, the Kun Thai ex (khun), means, Ms, Mrs, for men and women. 7, men and women in public places should not be too intimate act, but also do not get angry in public. 8, Thailand prohibition of gambling, even in the hotel room nor play cards or mahjong. 9 Do not tip to the coin, the general is to give the beggar a coin. Tourist Complaint Hotline The Thai government Kanchong problems to solve tourists, providing profile information, and to provide life and property security, special approval from Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center was established, _set_ up a hotline telephone number is 1155. Slogan is "Remember - a number, bound for all of Thailand." Aim is to provide efficient service, providing convenient. And make the service to meet international standards for domestic and foreign tourists traveled to Thailand with confidence. Hotline 1155 or travel service centers are located in the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the four main services are: 1, provide tourist information; 2, Statistics visitors a day to reflect the situation in order to provide convenience and to protect the safety of tourists; 3, receiving complaints from tourists to travel during the period; 4, to provide the police network services, to accept the police, the criminal inquiry. If the tourists in trouble, the police will act quickly. Thai Food: In Thailand, the different regions have different preferences of the dishes. East northerners prefer sticky rice with chicken and "somtam" spicy papaya salad, which mixed the papaya salad silk, dried shrimp, lemon juice, fish sauce, minced garlic and chili random doping; northerners like "naem "- endemic acid meat; the Southerners on the Islamic-style flavor and a soft spot for all kinds of fresh seafood. Famous Lai-style seafood soup with lemon shrimp or East Yam Kung (tomyamkung), crisp rice (mikrop) - with shrimp, pork, eggs, and sweet and sour sauce, fried rice noodles together, Thai curry chicken (chickencurry), coconut chicken (tomkhakai), spicy beef salad (yamnua), steamed fish curry banana leaves, flowers and color squid soup, dry fried sweet and sour prawns Lu, floss stuffed Kuwana, and clean cooking lobsters and so on. Roast Duck in China reached Thailand, with Thai flavor as curry roast duck, braised Sunburn population, Baozi shark, Chaozhou brine geese abound in Chinatown, the flavor was good. Thai restaurants usually banana or coconut juice on the cooked syrup as a dessert. Snacks desserts, there were fish cakes, hot and sour chicken feet, black glutinous rice and a variety of pastries, savory, especially durian or mango sticky rice is most famous. But remember to eat these meals when alcohol is said to wine and mango sticky rice with durian or meet in the human body produces a lot of heat, so that the body temperature rises rapidly. Dining in major cities in Thailand, in addition to Thai food, but you can enjoy world cuisine. General Hotel to Western-based, Chinese restaurants in Bangkok and major tourist spots are more common, more supply Fujian, Cantonese style. Specials Grilled squid Snack Sweet potato soup fragrant bamboo rice fried banana bird's nest soup Shopping in Thailand: Thailand's most important silk specialty. Tais made with clothing or scarves, neckties, sofa cushion covers, etc., fine appearance, economical and practical. In addition, wood carving, horn handicrafts, leather products but also for visitors alike. Thailand is also rich in rubies, sapphires and turquoise, the price is cheaper than that. Especially the "Siam Diamond," a special form, greatly shoppers welcome. Thailand, almost all cities have their own shopping advantages, Chiang Mai is the handicraft center; Bangkok million of merchants, good value for money; Pattaya is "excel the predecessors", and many commodity prices even cheaper than Bangkok a lot. Textile prices is only half the price of its class in Europe and America. In addition to a large shopping center that people can go to buy goods, but also to the traditional Thai water market transactions to see the lively scene. Inexpensive here, quite a good place for shopping. Banglan Shop (banglamphu) market, dynamic, sales of clothing for the protagonist; close to the shade of the hotel (indrahotel) of the water gate market (pratunam), a surprise move, is the gathering place all kinds of cheap clothing; Chinatown area of the three recruits Street yaowarat (sampheng), long and narrow, roadside stalls of goods, from gold, issued a kitchen, nothing is there; plus all add to the weekend market (chatuchakweekendmarket), is the largest bazaars, business hours from Friday late midnight Sunday, and many, including almost the whole of Thailand by the manufacture and grown products. Shopping Information 1, the Hong Kong Tourism Authority of Thailand has a book called "Shopping in Thailand," the Chinese version of pamphlet details the native of Thailand, such as read, will help visitors understand the native Thailand. 2, shopping in Thailand, the most expensive is the leather goods. Wood and shell ornaments. As to where the gems produced, non-experts who are best not to buy. _Select_ion of leather goods to the attention of different prices in different stuff, a very large difference between the two. 3, shopping in Thailand, may wish to shop around. The price of goods in large department stores are fixed, but in general the small shops or small shops shopping mall, you can bargain the price is actually lower than the price of two times. 4, the Thai government to the provisions of foreign tourists to buy ancient Dongming Wen: ① Bring out of the country antiques, the purchaser shall be 5 days in advance to obtain a license from the Department of Thai art. ② of historical or educational value of Thai antiques, not allowed to take out of the country. 5, in the purchase of an antique, be sure to confirm whether the store sold on your behalf for the above-mentioned procedures. When doubt the reliability of goods, the customer can return the right to ask businessmen issued a guarantee. When shopping, do not store inquiring about the price point with your fingers, because in Thailand, this action is rude rude. 6, do not accept strangers provides guided tours, shopping guide of the type of service; respect the religious beliefs of the special region of Thailand, but also to prevent the grounds of religious belief forced shopping. Thailand Transportation: The transportation network in Thailand is very perfect, railways and roads are in Bangkok as the center, leading to the country, between convenient and cheap. However, the city of Bangkok traffic was crowded, and there is no subway, there was a "traffic jam in the world" nickname. Civil aviation industry is well developed in Thailand, there are airports in major cities such as Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport, one of the leading aviation hub in Southeast Asia, non-stop international flights to Asia, Europe, America and Oceania, more than 30 cities. Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Shantou weekly flights to Bangkok. Travel to other cities in Thailand, Thai Airways can ride the domestic routes. Such as Chiang Mai and Phuket from Bangkok to the island, has several flights a day between. Bangkok Airport is also very convenient, green, five kinds of vehicles, the airport shuttle, shuttle to and from the airport 25 kilometers away from Bangkok. Railway arrived in Thailand from Bangkok to major cities. Sent to the national train station in Bangkok, Thailand north, northeast and south of the express trains, international trains (such as to Singapore, Malaysia), long-distance vehicles (such as to Chiang Mai) and every Saturday, Sunday train travel lanes can be held in This information, booking. Eastern Railway Station in Bangkok, Thailand, daily shuttle bus bound for the east; South railway station, bound for a day climbing in southern Thailand. Long distance passenger bus in Thailand are well developed throughout, such as Bangkok, city of eastbound, southbound and northbound 3 Bus Terminal, bus routes through well-developed network of domestic cities can be reached. Along Highway No. 3, 2 hours and 30 minutes to arrive in Pattaya; along Route 4 and 402, 7 hours capable of reaching the Phuket; along Route 1 and 106, 9 hours to arrive in Chiang Mai. Car, boat rentals also available for rent Private Car. Taxi internationally renowned companies, such as hertz and avis, with offices in Thailand, provide their own driving or car rental with driver service projects. Can phone rental, charter, high, medium and low are very convenient. Urban transport in major cities of Thailand are very well-developed urban traffic, there are numerous air-conditioned taxi or taxi. In addition, the three-wheeled tuk tuk vehicles (tuktuk), queer, low price; rental motorcycles, fares are cheaper, and faster speed. Accommodation Thailand: Thailand about 5 million between the existing rooms, Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui are the most advanced modern hotel. Proliferation of luxury hotels around the territory, such as Hilton, Holiday, Mandarin, Shangri-La, etc., the famous "Bangkok Oriental Hotel" for its quality service, for many years as one of the world's top ten famous tourist hotels. Thailand there are many relatively cheap, clean and quiet environment, most of the equipment are generally full of non-formal hotels, such as the University's guest house, family-style hotels, villas, inns, water homes, hostels, motels, simple and clean Chinese inns and hotels, and beach cabins, etc., for the accommodation offers a diverse _select_ion at the expense of tens of baht a day to a few hundred baht a night range. Whether dining in the hotel, laundry, both 24-hour service. Stay at the hotel, the best valuables in the hotel safe. Use your own appliances, first check the voltage (usually 220 volts in Thailand, but also in some places is 110 volts.) In addition to 12 March each year and from late July outside the month of August is low season in Thailand hotels, low season can enjoy discounts of 20% to 30%. In addition, most hotels in Thailand should be subject to 7% to 10% government tax and 10% service tax. However, the words marked with Nett Hotel, charges taxes and service charges have been included. Thailand Entertainment: Tourism in Thailand, you have fun in the great addiction but also can experience the look Thai massage, Muay Thai, and the soul-stirring experience. Thai people sing and dance, folk dance a beautiful dance. In all of the Thai traditional performing arts among the most famous performances Cong devaluation masked dance (khon). Thailand's most popular national song and dance performances to promote the Buddhist-based music and dance programs are also popular. Cultural performances provided by the restaurant, particularly popular. World-famous "Cabaret" performance is one of many visitors the most breathtaking one program, those slender graceful stunning "beauty" singing, dancing, an air of breathtaking tenderness, really can do is slam the heart. Thailand's most attractive is the nightlife. royalthaiarmy, romantic chic nightlife in Bangkok Shangri-la. Bangkok suriwong more famous neighborhood of Arima Onsen. If you are interested to see a Thai boxing match is a good choice. Racha General Chief of Army Staff in Bangkok agricultural boxing, boxing Roubini enjoy these games, there are always two or three per week schedule. Or, to Bangkok royalthaiarmy, been to a golf addiction. In addition, you can see elephants, crocodiles and other animals show, this is very exciting yo! Capital: Bangkok (bangkok) Population: 63,082,000 Area: 513,115 sq Location: Asia, central and southern Indochina Peninsula to the southeast, the Gulf of Thailand (Pacific), south near the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean), west and northwest border with Myanmar, northeastern border with Laos, and Cambodia is adjacent to the southeast, territory extending southward along the Isthmus of Kra to the Malay Peninsula, and Malaysia phase, the narrow part of the home between the Indian and Pacific Ocean. National Day: December 5 (1927, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday) Flag: a rectangle, length and width ratio of 3:2. By the red, white and blue of the five parallel horizontal rectangular form. National Emblem: The pattern is a Big Bird, a bird sitting on the back of the TV drama Lai King. Big Bird is a legend of the gods with wings, that Levin is the legendary patron saint of the king. Flower: lily State tree: the laurel Thailand, an area of 513,115 square kilometers. Central and southern Indochina Peninsula in Asia to the southeast, the Gulf of Thailand (Pacific), south near the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean), west and northwest border with Myanmar, northeastern border with Laos, and Cambodia is adjacent to the southeast, south boundaries extend along the Isthmus of Kra Malay Peninsula, and Malaysia phase, the narrow part of the home between the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Tropical monsoon climate. Year is divided into heat, rain, dry quarters. Average annual temperature of 24 ~ 30 ℃. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (bhumiboladulyadej), 1946 ascended the throne, was crowned in May 1950; Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (thaksinshinawatra), 2001 年 2, he was appointed prime minister. March 2005 reelection as prime minister. Population 63,082,000 (February 2003). Thailand is a multi-ethnic country of more than 30 ethnic groups, including Thai 40% of the total population, the old group accounted for 35%, Malay 3.5%, 2% and other Khmer. In addition, there Miao, Yao, Gui, Wen, Karen, Shan and other mountain people. Thai is the national language. Buddhism is the state religion of Thailand, 90% of the population believe in Buddhism, Malay Muslim, a minority of Christian Protestant, Catholic, Hindu and Sikh. For centuries, Thai customs, literature, art and architecture and Buddhism almost all closely related. Trip to Thailand, everywhere wearing yellow robes of the monks, and the magnificent temple. Therefore, Thailand has "yellow robe Buddha" reputation. Thai Buddhism is shaping the moral standards, so as to form a respect for tolerance, peace and peace-loving spirit of the style. Bangkok (bangkok) is the political, economic and cultural center, blending traditional and modern metropolis, still retains its glorious tradition of the monuments signs. The magnificent Grand Palace, Lou Jin Xiang Yu Jade Buddha Temple, golden temples and solemn Erawan Shrine and other historical sites attract a large number of visitors to visit, so visitors away. Has a population of about 800 million. Existing "constitution" in September 27, 1997 by the Legislative Assembly passed the same year, enacted October 11, Part 16 Constitution of Thailand. New "constitution" to implement the provisions of the king as the head of Thailand's democratic political system; the King as Head of State and Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces, the sacred can not be offended, no one may accuse or sue the king. King through Congress, the Cabinet and the courts were to exercise legislative, executive and judicial powers. Congress is bicameral, divided the Senate, the House directly elected by the legislature to consider the government policy objectives, the national budget and supervise the work of the government as its main functions. Members from the next Prime Minister by not less than 2 / 5 under the Members nominated by the House of Commons vote and was more than half of votes to pass, the king was appointed by the Congress President. Prime Minister to dissolve parliament before the king to be approved by the Cabinet for approval shall be reported; the no-confidence motion shall not dissolve the parliament during the debate. A total of 36 Cabinet members, members under the members resigned as a Cabinet post to be eligible, cabinet office, leaving personal property shall be declared and published. The Member shall not affiliated with any political party may not serve as cabinet members. As a traditional agricultural country, agricultural products are a major source of foreign exchange earnings, mainly growing rice, maize, cassava, rubber, sugarcane, mung bean, hemp, tobacco, coffee, cotton, palm oil, coconut fruits. Arable area of 20.7 million hectares, accounting for 38% of land area. Thailand is the world's leading rice producer and exporter, Thailand's rice exports are a major source of foreign exchange earnings, and its world market rice exports accounting for about one-third of turnover. Thailand is second only to Japan, China, Asia's third-producing countries in the sea, is the world's largest shrimp producing countries. Thailand's rich natural resources, mainly potash, tin, lignite, oil shale, natural gas, as well as zinc, lead, tungsten, iron, antimony, chromium, barite, precious stones and oil. Potassium salt of which 40.7 million tons of reserves, ranking first in the world tin reserves are about 120 million tons, the reserves accounting for 12% of the world's total reserves of oil shale reserves of 1.87 million tons, about 20 million tons of lignite reserves, rubber production in the world, with an annual output of 210 million tons, accounting for one third of world output, 90% for export. Forest resources, fishery resources, oil, natural gas is the basis of their economic development, natural gas reserves of about 16.4 trillion cubic feet, 15 million tons of oil reserves, the forest coverage rate of 25%. In addition, Thailand is also rich were known as the "king of fruit" and "after the fruit" durian and mangosteen. Litchi, longan, rambutan and other tropical fruits as legendary. With the economic structure of Thailand's rapid economic development there is a clear change. Although agriculture in the national economy continues to play an important role, but the manufacturing sector's share in the national economy has been growing. Share of manufacturing has become the biggest industry, and has become one of the major export industries. Thailand, a major feature of the process of industrialization is the full use of its rich agricultural resources development, food processing and related manufacturing, the main industrial sectors are: mining, textiles, electronics, plastics, food processing, toy, automobile assembly, construction materials, petrochemical and so on. Since the 20th century, 80 years, exports mainly agricultural products from the past and gradually into the industrial-based, the main export products include: automatic data processing machines, integrated circuit boards, motor vehicles and parts, clothing, fresh shrimps, precious stones and jewelry, the primary fiber, rice, radios and television _set_s, rubber, etc.; main import products are: electronic and industrial machinery, integrated circuits, chemicals, computer accessories, steel, jewelry, metal products. Thailand is rich in resources, has always been the "land of smiles," known for more than 500 scenic spots, except the main tourist spots in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, the Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Samui Island and a number of rapid development of new tourist attractions. Attracted many foreign tourists. Jade Buddha Temple (templeoftheemeraldbuddha) located in the northeast corner of Grand Palace in Bangkok, is Thailand's most famous Buddhist temple, Thailand is one of the three treasures. Built in 1784 the Jade Buddha Temple is part of Thailand's Grand Palace, Grand Palace area of about 1 / 4. Jade Buddha Temple Jade Buddha Thai royal family and religious ceremonies dedicated to the place, because the temple houses the Emerald Buddha named. Jade Buddha Temple, the first Dian, Fogu Hall, depositary of Buddhist texts, the Clock Tower and the urn. Jade Buddha Temple Jade Buddha Hall is the main building, the center of the shrine hall is enshrined as a national treasure of jade Buddha in Thailand. Emerald High 66 cm, 48 cm wide, is carved from a single piece of jade. Every season season, the King of Thailand personally for the Emerald Buddha changing in order to maintain peace and prosperity. Whenever the occasion of the Thai cabinet change, the new government should be in the Jade Buddha Temple, the whole cabinet was sworn in to the king. Farming Festival in May each year, the king also held here in religious ceremonies, prayers for good harvests. Temple is surrounded by murals of about one kilometer promenade, above the 178 painted in Indian classical literature "Ramayana" epic theme of the beautiful color comic book, along with Thai Translated. Jade Buddha Temple of the few large ceramic painted on the wall of China "Three Kingdoms" story. Old Town House Museum is located in Samutprakarn, Thailand (also translated: Samut Prakan House) territory is the world's largest open-air museum. This is a man-made city, a blend of history, representative of Thailand around the buildings, through imitation, or the original move made by tourists as "Thailand's Disney." Built in 1956, the construction of abnormal voluminous works, which lasted 20 years, covers 200 acres. The ancient city surrounded by brick walls, the imitation of the outline map of Thailand, was ax type, it has "Little Thailand," said. The most famous city in Thailand over 75 temples, pagodas, monuments and other buildings imitation, but also to establish a seat on the lake, formed by a tall wooden small market. These are all arranged according to their original location in the museum. Some monuments have disappeared, archaeologists of the research and artists through the efforts of its original appearance make it, then people's eyes now. There are dozens of groups within the ancient city of Buddhist and Thailand according to the manufacture of large traditional folk sculpture. There are raised in the northeast corner of the city's many tropical wildlife safari. Here visitors can generally understand Thailand since 1238 since the establishment of Sukhothai historical and artistic profile. Gan Heng Kun Lan beat: the third world famous King of Thailand, he created a language today in Thailand. Gan Lan Wang Heng Thailand distinguished statesman, diplomat and writer, deeply respect and affection of the people of Thailand, known as the "Father of Thailand." He has sent envoys to China 5 times, in 1294-1300 during his two visits to China (Yuan Dynasty), in the history of friendly relations between China and Thailand upload the brother's wife.
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